Educational Rhetoric

Sean Cavanaugh
In War of Words, ‘Reform’ a Potent Weapon
Key phrases provide powerful short hand for those with specific policy bentEducation Week
Published Online: March 1, 2011
Complete URL: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/03/02/22rhetoric_ep.h30.html?tkn=POUFxb/Vj5VzNixgG90D7oTvAypDVTZFe3iZ&cmp=clp-edweek

“The rhetoric of education today tends to divide the world in two: between those who favor "reform" and those who don't.”

Rhetoric used today:
Status Quo: Those who want things to stay the way they are, basically anyone not in favor of the type of reform currently in fashion. I.E. – support for charter schools, tougher standards and testing, evaluating and paying teachers based on performance, and challenging teachers unions on traditional job protections.
Reform: Those in support of the above mentioned list of amendments.
Education Establishment: Generic term used to include teachers unions, general administrative, and bureaucratic stasis.
Students First: (or any variation on that) Names associated with the type of reform noted earlier.

The aim of this article is to educate the reader on educational rhetoric. To provide aid as we navigate this messy issue, and read between the lines. Helps us answer the question - What’s really being said here? The language is divisive – big surprise. You either are or are not in favor of reform. There doesn’t seem to be much room for moderation. You can see how titling a new piece of legislation Students First would be divisive. It seems to insinuate that those not in favor are against students or that somehow their position is Adults First. The intended audience for this article would be anyone trying to move beyond “specific policy bent” and really get to the meat of the issue. This article is relevant to the population at large – the news is filled with stories about education reform – we could all use some assistance as we make sense of it all – trying not to get taken in with the language.